[ Some part of him doesn't expect honesty here. After all, it's not like Claude is offering any in anything other than a crumb of it here and there. All placed along a deliberate trail, but it's one either of them could walk away from. Best to always leave an out to keep expectations low, and that goes for both what's offered and what's asked for.

So when Sylvain doesn't take the obvious escape route, Claude's startled even if the only outward sign of it is a blink. A brief one and barely a flicker before he's appraising the other again and without bothering to hide it - not that it's needed since there's a mug conveniently blocking any eye contact or most of it. After a moment Claude has to look down at his plate with his mouth pursed to one side in a poor attempt to suppress a smile since it's not to tease while it threatens to outdo his usual ability to keep an even expression. Not at Sylvain's expense, no; he's trying to temper being delighted even if Sylvain seems to be drowning himself in ale before he's said anything in response.

Because he wasn't imagining it, this, or anything else. ]

Then maybe you should have kissed me in Nocwich when you were thinking about it. [ Don't think he's forgotten about that. Claude looks up without bothering to hide that smile now any longer. ] And then you wouldn't have had to go to such elaborate lengths to get me here tonight, though I still think suspense worked out in my favor then and now.